Clean Cedar Shingles

• 1). Climb up the ladder with all of your supplies handy and the garden hose water supply turned on.
  
  
• 2). Start from the uppermost point of the shingles and work down so the dirt flows down. Spray a section with your hose to moisten it. Avoid soaking the cedar shingles completely.
  
  
• 3). Spray a mild detergent solution, made from several squirts of cleanser and water, over the section.
  
  
• 4). Scrub the cedar shingles with a medium-bristled brush, working from the top down.
  
  
• 5). Rinse the section with water. Repeat until the entire area is clean. Allow the cedar shingles to dry for several hours -- more, on a cloudy or cool day.
  
  

Stain Cedar Shingles

• 1). Paint the shingles with an oil-based primer that blocks stains. The stain-blocking protection helps prevent excessive bleeding from the stain. Allow the primer to dry for about an hour, or follow the manufacturer's guidelines.
  
  
• 2). Paint on the oil-based stain in a color of your choosing. Start from the uppermost point and work your way down. Mop up any spills or stain pools with a rag. Allow the shingles to dry for 24 hours.
  
  
• 3). Apply a top coat, if desired. Top coats can help protect the shingles, and also can help create a weathered look faster. Use bleaching oil as a top coat to get a weathered cedar look.